“Sweetheart, take a breath. Let’s get to Sean, you need to decide fast, time’s running out. Taylor thinks you’re home, waiting with your crutches. If you want to go back to Edenlost, you have to do it before he gets here, or it’ll be too late. Come on, let’s go.”
Evelyn took her hand and led her toward Sean, who was already hoisting the anchor with steady movements.
As they sailed, a heavy stillness wrapped around the boat like a thick blanket. Each of them was lost in their own thoughts, sharp memories, unanswered questions, the weight of what waited ahead.
A quiet melancholy hung in the air, almost tangible. No one dared to break the fragile balance. Sean had handed the wheel to Evelyn and moved to the bow, standing between the rigging, eyes locked on the horizon. Leyla curled up beside her mother, resting her head on her shoulder. Every now and then, she’d lift it, offering a faint smile, or a soft kiss.
The sea was flat, a glassy expanse stretching endlessly in every direction. Not a single breath of wind stirred the silence.
Behind them, Island of the Moon had vanished without a sound, gone the same way it had appeared, an ephemeral illusion swallowed by nothingness. A sign they’d managed to escape in time. It was as if the universe itself had decided to reward them for their determination.
As they drew closer to the coast, the lights of distant houses shimmered, tiny lanterns scattered across a fairytale landscape.
Leyla didn’t need words to understand what was passing through her mother’s mind. One brief look, a faint furrow of the brow, that was all it took. The moment had come.
With an unsteady voice and eyes glistening with tears, Leyla broke the silence.
“I’ve thought of every possibility. I hoped there might be some middle ground, something that would let me stay with you. But… there isn’t. Not really. I have to go back to Edenlost.”
She clutched her mother’s arm tightly, as if holding on could somehow stop time.
“I can’t ignore what I am. I want to live up to my gift— to my purpose. I want you, Grandma, and all the women who came before us to be proud of me. I couldn’t bear the thought of turning my back on those who need me. But I can’t do it without you. Mom, lend me your strength.”
Tears streamed down her face, her shoulders trembling.
Evelyn pulled her into a tender embrace, her heart overflowing with love.
“Come here, my love. You have no idea how proud I already am of you. There’s a light inside you, something rare. You were born to make a difference, and that’s why you were chosen. Don’t ever forget that. The hardest trials are given to those who can overcome them.”
She brushed her fingers through Leyla’s hair, holding her close.
“I’ll be with you, always. Don’t worry about us. I can feel it… we’ll find a way to stay connected.”
Leyla looked at her, hesitant. “But how can you be so sure?”
“In the past, you never doubted my intuition,” Evelyn said softly. “Don’t start now, sweetheart.”
After a long breath, Leyla nodded. “You’re right. I’ve made up my mind. But… I need one more moment. I just want to stay here with you a little longer, soak up every drop of your energy.”
Her tear-streaked face broke into a small, childlike smile.
“You’re amazing, Leyla. That’s one of the many reasons I adore you. Not many people can cry and joke at the same time.”
They held each other tightly, smiling through their tears and joy, as if that moment could last forever.
Then Evelyn, her voice steady but full of love, whispered, “I get it. But you’d better recharge quickly. I have a feeling Taylor’s already out there waiting. And if he finds out you’re gone…”
“…then I won’t have any time left to go back,” Leyla finished in a trembling whisper. “I know. But if that’s the price to stay here with you just a little longer… then I’ll gladly pay it.”
Meanwhile, Taylor was already standing at the front door.
“Leyla?”
Adam’s little trick with the folded piece of cardboard had worked perfectly, the door was still slightly ajar from the night before.
Even so, Taylor, ever the polite type, knocked twice before pushing it open.
Hmm… maybe she didn’t hear me. Could be in the bathroom?
“Leyla! It’s Taylor. Mind if I come in?”
Silence.
He eased the door open a little farther and peeked inside the apartment.
Weird… her crutches are right there by the bed. I thought she used them even around the house.
The bed was unmade, blinds drawn tight. The kitchen, on the other hand, looked untouched, just as it had the night before. No sign of breakfast.
“Leylaaa? You there? I’m coming in!”
The open-plan living room was empty, no sign of movement, no sound of life. Even the bathroom, door slightly ajar, was swallowed in silence.
A ripple of tension ran through him.
“This is getting creepy…” he muttered under his breath.
“Leyla? You in there? Come on, answer me, you’re starting to freak me out.”
He moved carefully, nudging the bathroom door open with the toe of his sneaker. His hand reached for the light switch.
Click. The light flicked on.
Empty.
That makes no sense. Everything’s exactly where it should be, except her. And without her crutches, there’s no way she could’ve gone far.
“Okay, think. Don’t panic. But… it’s obvious, someone must’ve taken her. It’s the only thing that fits! Damn Uttermost’s soldiers… you’ll pay for this. I have to inform Adam. Now.”
After one last quick glance around the room, he bolted out the door.
He was striding down the pedestrian walkway toward the Meeting Center when something caught his eye. Near the playground, usually empty at that hour, he spotted a shape lying behind the slide.
Instinct made him slow down.
Someone’s there. Hiding. He could feel it.
Without a second thought, he vaulted the fence and rushed toward the spot.
When his eyes landed on her, he froze.
He just stood there, staring, shocked, like his brain couldn’t process what he was seeing.
“You planning to keep looking at me like I’m a ghost?” Leyla said, forcing a teasing tone, even though her heart was pounding in her chest.
While she spoke, her gaze swept over him, black leather jacket, white V-neck tee hinting at the sharp lines of his chest, fitted jeans. Perfect. Too perfect. And definitely pissed.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Taylor exploded.
“To be honest… I have no idea. Maybe I’m sleepwalking?” she tried, attempting to lighten the mood.
“Funny,” he snapped. “Cut the crap and tell me how the hell you got here!”
His eyes burned, anger and disbelief flickering together like lightning.
Leyla drew in a breath. She needed to explain.
“Okay, fine, but please, try not to lose it. I’ll tell you everything.” Or at least… as much as I can, she thought.
Brushing a few blades of grass off her clothes, she pushed herself up.
Taylor just stared, even more stunned.
“Wait, how the hell are you standing without your crutches?”
Leyla brought a hand to her forehead, scrambling for an excuse. “It’s not what it looks like. I’ll explain everything, I promise. But right now… please, help me get back inside. Just pretend I’m leaning on you. I can’t draw attention.”
She stepped closer, her fingers brushing his arm. The scent of his aftershave hit her senses; warm, sharp, familiar.
Taylor said nothing for a moment. Then, with a bite of sarcasm, “You’ve got some nerve asking for my help.”
Leyla’s cheeks burned; shame stung her face.
“Please… not here. Not now.”
Taylor glared at her for another beat, then let out a short, frustrated breath and held out his arm in a curt gesture.
“Lean on me. But don’t think this fixes anything.”
✦✧✦✧✦ 𝓛𝓮𝔂𝓵𝓪 ✧✦✧✦✧
One chapter ends, the final countdown begins. Leyla chose her destiny, but lying to Taylor might be her hardest trial yet. Leave a ⭐ if this chapter kept you on the edge of your seat, and tell me: what do you think Taylor will do next? I’m reading all your comments! 👇
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